Imagine calling your doctor and hearing him prescribe, "Watch two comedy videos and call me in the morning." This prescription is not as far out as it seems. In fact it is based on some of the latest medical research and also a text of scripture found in Proverbs 17:22, "A merry heart does good like a medicine, hut a broken spirit dries the bones" (by the way, the bones are where the blood is produced).

Some years ago Dr. Lee Berk and his fellow researcher Dr. Stanley Tan of Loma Linda University in California studied the effects of laughter on the immune system. The result of their studies was published in the September/October 1996 issue of "Humor and Health Journal." The researchers discovered that Iaughter lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle flexion, and boosts immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells, disease-fighting proteins called Gamma-interferon, and B-cells which produce disease-destroying antibodies. They reported that laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and produces over-all a general sense of well-being.

It is not surprising then that laughter has been so effective in recovery of illness that many hospitals have created humor rooms and humor carts. Still others have installed cable TV comedy channels, and some even employ clowns to make rounds each day.

Laughter is not only beneficial to individual health but it can have a positive effect on the family as well. What can laughter do for the family? When we are laughing together there is a connection. Laughing encourages understanding, facilitates communication, and builds a spirit of harmony.

In families with young children humor can defuse what would otherwise be emotionally charged issues, thus encouraging balanced disciplinary measures. Where there is humor there is more likely to be a spirit of good will and cooperation.

Laughter is a win/win because it: - helps us to bond with each other - increases the energy level - helps us to remember things better - can help us to solve problems - fights stress - lowers blood pressure

What could our homes be like if we adults Iaughed more? Laughter is even good exercise. Someone has described laughing as taking your insides for a jog. Laughing one hundred times is equal to spending 10 minutes on a rowing machine or 15 minutes on a stationary bike.

Some years ago the author and editor Norman Cousins used the positive emotions of faith, hope, laughter, and joy to counteract the effects of a stressful lifestyle that he believed had led to his illness. He decided to treat his disease by watching comedies several times each day. These would create opportunities to laugh. His idea worked and he recovered from Anikylosing Spondylitis (even the name of the disease sounds painful!). His experience aroused the curiosity of the medical community, and he was invited to teach at USCL Medical Center. Later he coordinated the research efforts of scientists across the United States, and a summary of their findings was published in a book, Head First: The Biology of HM and the Healing Power of the Human Spirit.

Have you watched children playing and noticed how easily and heartily they laugh? Studies have revealed that children laugh an estimated 300-400 times a day, while adults are amused only about 15 times a day. I once visited a refugee camp and was appalled at the blank expressions of hopelessness on the faces of even the children. As aid was distributed, it was the children who first began slowly to laugh and play again. We should not take ourselves so seriously. I'm not suggesting that we must laugh 400 times a day, but I think many of us could do better than we do now.

We must be careful, however, that our sense of humor is not directed at someone but rather with someone. lt is important that laughter not have the sound of derision. Probably the healthiest kind of humor is when we laugh at ourselves.

The story is told of a man who was feeling very depressed. Suddenly a voice from nowhere said, "Cheer up, things could be worse." The man later confessed that he cheered up and sure enough things got worse! However, we may just find the opposite to be true. Though circumstances may not be to our liking, cultivating the ability to see things in a lighter vein will go a long way to improving our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Many of us would feel better if we would Iighten up and laugh a little.

A good sense of humor is free to all who will avail themselves and will go far to promote happiness and health. Laughter is contagious. Be a carrier!